Wasted || Liam Payne

Chapter 12

Liam 

I could tell she was nervous by the way she hesitated unbuckling her seatbelt. I wonder if she even wanted to come? Maybe she's not into parties. Maybe she's not into me? I mean, it was Niall that she let into her hotel room last night, Niall that she played pool with, Niall's shirt she wore. I glance at her and then over to Niall to see if, well, I don't know what I was looking for. Some sort of hint at all that maybe they are into each other and I'm pushing myself onto someone whose not interested. 

I mentally recall everything she said this morning, last night, and every moment since I've met her. She's never given any real indication that she was interested in anything more than just enjoying the experience of hanging out with a band member.  

She did ask me to stay in bed with her this morning.  

But, she said herself, she didn't want me to leave because then I would be famous again and she would still be herself. She just wanted us to be on an equal level. 

No, she had Niall in bed still, if she liked him and not me, she wouldn't have asked me to stay. 

Why the fuck am I even worried about this? I sound like a fucking chick. 

Feeling secure again, I walk around the other side of the vehicle and open the door for Sydney. I offer her my hand as she steps out and wrap my arm around her waist. 

Leaning down, I whisper in her ear "I'm sorry if you feel a bit uncomfortable, I'm here though, and the other guys are as well."  

She nods and smiles up at me. I want to curl her into my arms and protect her from whatever it is that’s making her so nervous, but, no. That's weird. So instead, I lead her inside. The house looks like it was decorated by a gaggle of leprechauns. Green lights, green food, green beer. I see Harry run of to chat up Johnny and roll my eyes. I can still hear Louis and Brittney talking behind us and can't help but wonder what Lou might be telling her.  

"Sydney! Sydney, come with me I want you to meet someone." Niall says grabbing ahold of her arm and pulling her towards him. She looks back to me with a worried expression and I give her fingers a reassuring squeeze before letting her go. 

"I'll be here waiting for you."  

She gives me a smile and turns to join Niall. My heart lifts when I notice her let go of his hand and grab his forearm instead. It's a small gesture, but, I don't want anyone to get the wrong impression of them and apparently neither does she.  

A body standing uncomfortably close to me catches my attention and I glance to the side to notice that Brittney is no longer talking to Louis, and is awkwardly staring up at me. 

"Umm hey. How's your son? Is he still sick?" I ask. God this is uncomfortable. Maybe I should have pretended I didn't remember anything? 

"He's fine." She says shortly. 

Well shit. I'm trying to be nice. 

"Listen, I'm sorry if..." 

"No you need to listen." She interrupts me. "I don't know what you're doing with Sydney, but it's fucked up to just shower her with affection and then leave her on her ass in two days." 

I wasn't expecting that.  

"She's strong and will get over it, but she still doesn't deserve it. I know you're not the charming gentleman she thinks you are, and we both know that the moment you leave California she'll be nothing more than a failed conquest. There's nothing you can do about it now, she's going to get hurt either way, and it's fucked up that you're too self absorbed to care about how your actions effect others. Too worried about the momentary pleasure to think about the consequences." she doesn't wait for a response from me, and instead, whips her hair around and walks off into the crowd. Probably to find her own momentary pleasure for the night. What a fucking hypocrite. And there's no way she got all that from her own perception, Louis must have told her something. Fucking dick!